The World Osteoporosis Day is celebrated on 20 October every year. It aims to raising the awareness and knowledge of people on osteoporosis, and to encourage them to take actions for prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Since 1997, the World Osteoporosis Day has been sponsored and promoted by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF). With the tremendous support from the World Health Organisation, the World Osteoporosis Day has become an annual international event. Since the Jockey Club Centre for Osteoporosis Care and Control (JOCOC) of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has made remarkable achievements in osteoporosis, the IOF therefore chose Hong Kong as the focal point for its Asian Osteoporosis Programme. And JOCOC has become the key strategic partner of IOF in Asia.

　　Osteoporosis is particularly serious in Asia. It is projected that by 2050, 50% of the total hip fractures in the world will occur in Asia. The number of incidence will escalate to 3.2 million. Many lifestyle factors may cause osteoporosis, such as a low calcium diet, lack of physical activity, smoking and alcoholism. Osteoporosis is usually considered as a disease in women. However, recent studies show that osteoporosis is also quite frequent in men.

　　The Jockey Club Centre for Osteoporosis Care and Control of The Chinese University of Hong Kong was established in 2001 with the mission "towards healthier bone for all and an improved quality of life for osteoporosis sufferers". Professor Edith Lau Ming-chu, Director of JOCOC, spoke at the press conference that the Centre has been dedicating its efforts in community service and the well-being of the Hong Kong community at large. Free bone density examination service programme is now provided to recovered SARS patients in Hong Kong, which includes an annual bone density examination and lasts for five years. The Centre is now planning to study the bone health of recovered SARS patients with international osteoporosis experts. The study is endorsed and fully supported by the IOF. Professor Lau suggests that recovered SARS patients should have adequate calcium intake and regular weight-bearing exercises. If they are found to have osteoporosis, drug treatment may be required.

　　This year, JOCOC will collaborate with the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), Asian Pacific Osteoporosis Foundation (APOF), Hong Kong Osteoporosis Foundation (HKOF) and Hong Kong Federation of Women (HKFW) to organise a large-scale osteoporosis prevention programme in Asia. The first of it is the "2003 World Osteoporosis Day Health Exhibition", which will be held on 19 October at the New Town Plaza, Shatin. The theme of the exhibition is "Invest in Your Bones". Prof. Kenneth Young, Acting Vice-Chancellor of The CUHK, Dr. Ping-yan Lam, Director of the Department of Health, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mrs. Alice Chiu, Chair of the Asian Regional Development and Promotion Committee, IOF, Mr. Paul Sochaczewski, Head of Communications, IOF, Mrs. Peggy Lam, Chairperson of the Hong Kong Federation of Women and Prof. Edith Lau, Director of JOCOC will officiate at the opening ceremony.

　　The organisers hope to educate the public of all ages about the importance of investing in bone health. The health exhibition will feature bone mineral density test, fracture risk assessment, measurement of Body Mass Index, high calcium diet, bone health counselling, and performance. In addition, there is an interactive "Ask an expert" session in which medical professionals will offer expert advice on bone health problems to the audience on site.

Professor Leo Sin, Dept. of Marketing, CUHK (left) and
Mr. Wong Tin Cheung, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Yau Lee Holdings Ltd. (right)

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